CERT POLICE OFFICER

NATURE OF WORK 

An employee in this classification may perform varied assignments in motorized patrol, foot patrol, bike patrol, traffic control and enforcement, accident investigation, preliminary and follow-up investigation at crime scenes, serving writs in criminal proceedings, and assisting in public safety education programs.  Work involves an element of personal danger and high levels of physical, emotional, and mental stress to deal with people in various situations.  Incumbents must be able to act without direct supervision and exercise independent judgment in meeting emergencies.  Situations often arise where incumbents will have the responsibility for making decisions regarding the use of deadly force in protecting citizens and themselves without the opportunity for prior supervisory advice or assistance.  Routine assignments are received from superior officers who review work methods and results through reports, inspections, and discussions. Police Officers are required to respond to any emergency and/or criminal situation that they observe while on or off duty and function as a Police Officer until relieved by regular on-duty units. 

Illustrative Tasks:

Patrols in the jurisdiction of the City in a radio cruiser car to preserve law and order, to prevent and discover the commission of crime, and to enforce traffic regulations.
 
 Answers calls and complaints involving homicide, rape, robbery, burglary, larceny and any emergencies or disturbances that arise which may require police intervention.
 
 Administers first aid, conducts preliminary investigations, gathers evidence, obtains witnesses, and makes arrests; testifies in court.
 
 Conducts preliminary investigations involving missing persons and juveniles.
 
 Conducts accident investigations providing first aid for injured and taking safeguards to prevent further accidents; interviews principals and witnesses; takes written statements; examines vehicles and roadways; takes necessary street measurements; clears the scene of obstruction and wreckage.
 
 Prepares investigative reports and maintains necessary records for presentation in court.
 
 From specialized training in the areas of Social, Cultural and Inter-personal relationships, officer will be called upon to mediate family crisis situations to avoid destructive ends.
 
 Works proactively to resolve neighborhood concerns by establishing partnerships with residents, merchants, schools, churches, community-based organizations, governmental agencies/offices and other groups in the designated patrol area in accordance with the Department’s Community Policing mission.
 
 Utilizes crime analysis data to address crime problems in their assigned districts or zones.
 
 Field Training Officers have the responsibility for instructing, supervising and evaluating those novice police officers that have successfully completed their formal academy training, thereby providing them with a period of internship.

Must attend annual firearm training

Complete 40hrs mandatory training every 4 years

Minimum Requirements:

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED); Successful completion of police recruit training; or any acceptable related combination of training and experience.
• Completed an FDLE Commission-certified training school and successfully passed the State Officer Certification Examination (SOCE) 

OR

Currently employed as a certified law enforcement officer with another agency in Florida (if employed as a law enforcement officer with another state, the applicant would have to successfully complete the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Equivalency of Training; and pass the State Officer Certification Examination (SOCE) within one year of receipt of the approved Equivalency of Training), 

OR

Currently employed as a Florida Correctional Officer who has successfully completed a cross-over law enforcement program and passed the State Officer Certification Examination (SOCE).